Happy Things

I don't feel like I do this often enough and coming off a tough week with a sick tot, I felt like I just wanted to share some of the joy we're currently experiencing.  Oh, and there is a giveaway if you scroll down to the bottom, so feel free to scroll down to that for a chance to win your own "happy thing".

First of all, my new blog design.  Don't you love it?  (If you are looking at this from mobile, you have to click on the "full site" button - I think that's what it's called??? - and oogle out!)  I had been wanting a more "clean and simple" design for a while and I think this fits the bill.  I was done by a friend who is starting a design business and I just can't recommend her enough.  She's only doing blogger designs right now, but if you use blogger and are looking for clean, classic design, Lauren is your gal.  You can find her at My Polished Side Designs.

This picture is a little old, but I came across it and couldn't pass up the opportunity to share.  Lucia will actually BEG for me to take this crucifix down off the wall above our bed so she can hold it and kiss it.  She always touches Christ's nail marks and says, "Boo boo, ow!" with a very sad, serious face and then kisses Him some more. Combine this with the picture of her staring at this same crucifix as a tiny baby and the picture of her kissing St. Francis last week, and I have enough to start a "Catholic tot" album.

Happy, happy girl!  (And we finally got a couch!) 

Want to see a picture of another happy girl?  If you've been reading for a while, you may remember me talking about "Kaia", an orphan in Eastern Europe looking for a family.  She's now home with her family!  See her smiling face here. Thanks for all your prayers and support!

I gave Lucia her first French braid!  Her hair has been long enough for a while now, but she wouldn't sit still.  I was able to do it while she was watching a particularly riveting episode of Peep. (If you' don't know Peep [and you have kids], you should!  One of the only kid shows I actually like!)

 I'm sponsoring Lilla Rose giveaways on two other blogs right now.  The giveaway at Call Her Happy ends tomorrow (Wed) and the one at High Heeled Mama ends Saturday and has two winners!  So it's really like three chances to win!  Head over to enter now!

Yesterday, David brought me home flowers.  Lucia was still napping, so I arranged them on the table, then sat down with a glass of wine, some hazelnut currant chocolate, and my new favorite cheese (corazon de ronda manchego).  Nothing could make my afternoon better, right?  Wrong.  Because as soon as I sat down...my best friend called!  Such an awesome afternoon!

Enter below for the chance to win your own happy thing:

Earrings from Blessed Life Boutique.  Well, technically, they're from headquarters because I won them playing Jewelette.  (It's a Wheel of Fortune type game - the top five scores each week win jewelry and everyone gets a 15% off code for playing. I've won twice.  You can see the necklace I won here.)  Anyway, I already have a similar pair, so I'll be passing on these beauties to one of you!  Enter on the Promo Simple widget below.  Contest will end Monday, Sept. 16.  US residents only please!